TDF Discussion - here be spoilers

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Today was the first time I'd heard that Alberto had been in a life-threatening health situation years-ago. Maybe I'd heard it before while watching him in the '07 TdF..not sure. Anyway VS had a video story during today's stage...

There's no disputing the guy is gifted. Yeah VS has been very pro-Lance.. and I kinda have to agree a bit with Running Mommy. I was a bit jaded on LA in the beginning days after his announcement to return. However, I cannot dis-like the man.. he's 2yrs younger than me and has accomplished a great deal. He's taken the hand he was dealt and turned it way-around for so many worldwide.

There just seems to be something unfriendly about AC. I don't know what it is. I can totally understand how he'd feel the rug was pulled out from under him right when he's ready to retake the Tour. The classy thing to do would have been to take that and work with it. Its not like anyone cut him off at the knees. Not saying I would've liked it either, but I want to keep my job and get more work later. The guy is still young...but talent like his (or Lance's) doesn't last forever.

Lord knows in the times we have now, we shouldn't p*ss in the pool.. don't burn bridges. Know what I mean?

This has been a very exciting Tour to watch...Andy Schlek is definitely one to watch...and I'd put money on seeing more of Tony Martin next yr too.

Hey - how about the mouth on Cav? Heard he apologized to Thor when they were waiting on the podiums yesterday. Got a little humility after all.

[papaver]

cav and thor kissed and made up. They even had a little sprint today for 104th and 105th place.

[pll]

Maybe the views of Contador as evasive and unfriendly have to do with his media exposure in the US/UK, through the lens of pro-Lance Versus, without a command of English? In interviews in Spanish, he sounds quite humble and shy.

I think Contador did what he needed to do to win the tour -- nobody should fault him for that.

As for joining Garmin, it'd be interesting to see if it works out. I hope we don't have any post tour doping 'surprises'. Contador's 'proximity' to doping (witness in Operacion Puerto) is not any worse than Armstrong and US Postal being clients of Michele Ferrari, aka Dottore Sangue.

[tan1a]

my 10 cents worth from down here in Kiwiland - have loved seeing Hayden Roulston in a couple of breakaways, he's done an awesome job in his first tour. Watch out for him next year

[tulip]

I've been watching on both Versus and Eurosport (UK and France). So glad I have some other options to get more well-rounded coverage.

[Zen]

Watching the Versus rebroadcast someone interviewing Prince Lance just called AC a "loose cannon"
Biased much?

[redrhodie]

Watching the Versus rebroadcast someone interviewing Prince Lance just called AC a "loose cannon"
Biased much?

Pretty sure that was Robbie Ventura, not Lance.

It's definitely interesting to ponder where AC will end up. I think if he ends up at Garmin, it's going to be really bad for Tyler Farrar, because the team won't work for the sprints with a great GC contender like Contador. Remember Robbie McEwen with Cadel? Not good.

I think he'd be perfect on Caisse d'Epargne. Rabobank could use him, too.


edit, misread Zen.

[Trekhawk]

What a great stage. I really enjoyed watching the tousel between the top GC guys. I think Bradley Wiggins did a great job and will be one to watch at the next tour. When he started the tour he was hoping to make it into the top 20 so he must be beside himself with his result.

Enjoyed watching Franco Pellizotti during this tour and glad he held his polka dot jersey.

Yay for Lance! I was never a big fan but he seems to be growing on me. Lots of the press over here before the Tour said that he was past it and would not be a threat to the top guys. I guess that made me want to see him prove them wrong.

Sure does make for an interesting Tour.
Looking forward to 2010.